Mental Health & Substance Abuse Motivational Speaker For Schools
Engage Your Students Like Never Before
Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention & Motivational Speaker for Schools
If you’ve gotten this far chances are you’ve been tasked with finding a motivational speaker for your campus. With so many options, what is the right choice? As leaders of our communities we want students to have a better understanding of mental health, substance use or the impact life choices have on outcomes. We want a person students can relate to and understand but not feel like they are being lectured. We want someone with life experiences but we don’t want them to overshare and leave our students wounded and without hope.
I believe if you continue to read about my message and my work over the last 15 years of pouring into students hearts as a motivational speaker for schools and the most requested substance abuse prevention speaker in the country you will see I am the perfect fit for your students. If you have questions or need clarification on anything I would absolutely love to get on zoom to assure everyone is comfortable with my arrival on campus. I don’t have agents, I do this life work myself. I’d love to hear from you
~ Tony Hoffman
“Tony’s talk made an indelible mark on our school. He is down to earth, engaging, funny, and real, and our students connected well to his message. Schools today, more than ever, need social and emotional support for all students. Tony reinforced our work in this area in ways that we could not have on our own. ”
Mental Health Speaker for High Schools & Middle Schools
Tony Hoffman is a mental health speaker for schools who brings his experience with mental health struggles to help teens and young adults better understand themselves & others. His goal is to leave every listener inspired, ready to take action and be of support to their peers and create a positive culture around them.
Since the pandemic mental health struggles amongst teens have rapidly been on the rise. For this reason it’s more important now than ever that school districts bring in a mental health speaker for high schools & middle schools that can captivate a youth audience and educate them in a way that stays with them for the entirety of their life. This is what makes Tony the most unique of the mental health speakers. He shares his story 'From Prison to The Olympics’ in a way that most listeners have never experienced before. Instead of lecturing or spending time on buzzwords Tony likes to tell stories through periods of his life while perfectly weaving in the educational components we want youth to receive.
Laying The Foundation (Education through Storytelling not Powerpoint lectures)
Tony spends a large portion of his mental health speech in the early childhood and teenage years. This is where students find Tony most relatable. Tony struggled with social anxiety, depression, self-acceptance & was not able to find any relief from these emotions. They seemed to create confusion internally for him because at the time he did not know how to use the positive coping skills he shares. His father, who was Tony’s hero as a young teenager, spent long days at work to provide for his family but at the time of being a young person Tony did not understand what his fathers absence meant. He believed his father was unable to attend his basketball games because he was not good enough and that his father did not love him. What Tony felt was real but what Tony believed about his feelings and the story he created about what his father’s absence meant was not true.
Solving Problems
As a mental health speaker for high schools Tony’s goal is to help solve problems for young people. Why do I feel this way and what does it mean? It’s a question Tony believes we should all search to find the answers to but as young people they are not meant to navigate the emotional world alone. Complex mental health dynamics are typically beyond the comprehension of most youth and not easily applied by a student who oftentimes just wants to feel safe within themselves. For this reason Tony focuses on two core principles as a mental health speaker for high schools and middle schools that can be easily adopted and understood to make positive impacts on themselves and those around them.
Having a safe space to communicate with a trusted adult
Connection to a community of like minded people that are focused on empowerment of others and self
A Deeper Look Into Why
As Tony unpacks his life story he depicts how these two principals are actually the most important factors to mental health and emotional wellness from childhood through adulthood. He explains that our behavior is actually a result of how well we apply these principles. Less attention to them leads to riskier behavior, more attention to them the more self empowering our decisions become. Tony is a mental health speaker that can articulate to students the risks of holding onto uncomfortable feelings and how trying to manage these experiences alone is often the precursor to risky behavior and the reason that many students have already begun taking risks in their behavior. It’s important for Tony to teach students risky behaviors are not about good or bad people that stigma often makes us believe but about managing mental health through safe space conversations and connection to empowering communities.
By having a safe space to communicate with a trusted adult wether at home or at school with a staff member we are able to release any emotional pressure that may be building in our life and the adult is able to use their life experience to help the young person create a storyline within their minds that leaves them feeling capable of handling the adversity they are facing. Tony does not want students to make the mistakes he made at their age by leaving life’s experiences and the feelings that come with it to be managed alone because when we do it alone we often create the negative storyline with the uncomfortable feelings. Once a person believes less of themselves the likelihood risky behaviors show up to try and create a sense of safety within themselves go up.
The lack of emotional wellness is actually why people bully, get into unhealthy relationships-friendships and substance use like vaping, marijuana, alcohol and other drugs actually begin in young people’s lives. Whether you want to educate your students about substance use, addiction and life choices or you want a speaker who can bring in an incredibly inspirational story to educate on the importance of proactive mental health coping skills, Tony is the best mental health speaker for schools in the United States.
Change The Culture of Your Campus
The begging of change is awareness. By bringing Tony to speak with your students they will have a greater understanding of themselves, their mental health & decisions and what they mean. How to better support their peers and be future leaders. Tap the book Tony link below to find out how you can bring him to your campus
“Tony Hoffman came to KHS today!!! Wow was it a great talk. Any school needing an amazing guest speaker on mental health , choices , addiction , and overcoming obstacles this is the guy to hire”
Tony is connecting to students like no other substance abuse speakers in the USA
Substance Abuse Prevention Speakers for Schools
Substance use amongst students is growing every day, and it’s becoming an issue even in middle schools. Vaping is widely being used and a struggle on campuses with young students everywhere starting in late grade school and early middle school. Fentanyl, the most powerful opioid available today, has already made its way into middle & high schools, putting students' lives at risk.
Don’t Do Drug Speeches Are Out Dated
The idea and message is not wrong but does it work? Tony doesn’t think so. As adults we understand the dangers and risks involved with substance use but trying to educate youth from an adult perspective is where most substance abuse speakers and schools fall short. 75% of decisions made by youth and young adults before the age of 21 are not made with logic rather with feelings. This neurological fact of human development reveals why the old don’t do drugs speeches are not effective and worthwhile for schools. Students using substances are simply trying to alter a negative or uncomfortable mood and If students are making most of their daily decisions based on their feelings then the most important thing we can do for students is help them understand that our mental health when unchecked is actually the precursor to substance use and one of the key risk factors for addiction long term. A substance abuse prevention speaker like Tony Hoffman understands this dynamic and is an expert in the field of addiction recovery. How and why does it start is Tony’s passion for youth presentations.
Tony has changed what it means to be a substance abuse speaker for high schools and middle schools with his unique storytelling approach. It’s not about scaring kids away from drugs as a means of prevention but educating students about mental health, their current coping skills and challenging them to think differently than they once did about why people use substances like vaping, alcohol, marijuana & other drugs. This is what has earned him the title as the best substance abuse speaker for schools over the last 15 years.
Making Substance Abuse Speakers Relatable
A big challenge students have with drug speakers for schools like Tony Hoffman is most speakers use details of drug use, locations they were purchased or what it was like to be high on substances and students cannot relate to this experience unless they are currently using the topic substance. Tony however, is a substance abuse speaker for high schools like no other speaker that focuses on the emotional struggles he felt in his early childhood and teenage years to develop relevance. Students leave his presentation and later message him on social media or tell teachers and administrators he “gets” us. Tony does not overshare details about drugs with students, the stories he tells are engaging without leaving age appropriate discussion. Tony wants students to feel his life story and experiences from being a middle and high school student to a young adult who struggled with addiction to the point of homelessness and incarceration. Tony wants students to feel his life experiences so they careful consider their own choices and feelings and make a determination if they are willing to risk feeling the way Tony did as a results of substance abuse. His story allows students to reflect on their own mental health and coping skills and what it takes to move to a place within themselves so that drugs are not appealing.
Belief Systems = Behavior
When Tony Hoffman, substance abuse speaker for high schools and middle schools, begins to share his early childhood, kids become captivated by his vulnerability. Tony was a star athlete who shared a unique gift with athletics very few others had. Despite his gift in sports and dreams of making it to the NBA Tony was suffering internally with his mental health and absence of his father from his basketball games. Tony reveals to students that every human as they develop and grow subconsciously creates a belief system about themselves and others. These belief systems are developed based on the experiences a person has at home and reinforced by the ones had in school. The two belief systems in existence Tony shares with students are
I can. I will. I’m able
I can’t. I won’t. I’m not able
Through the depiction of Tony’s perceived mistakes looking back on his early teenage years he shares with students what he believes they can do for themselves to curate positive affirmations within self that lead them away from substance abuse not towards it.
Addiction Is Not a Choice
The old belief that addiction is merely a choice in which the person continues to engage in is not supported by the latest neurological research. Tony is considered the best substance abuse speaker for high schools & middle schools for his ability to articulate this scientific concept without using doctoral jargon or words that can’t be captured by high schools and middle school students. The three indicating factors for why addiction occurs are
Environment
Genetics
Psychology (Mental Health)
Tony masterfully uses a doorway analogy to depict how a person can use a substance like vaping to take them into the door but what happens once they enter is no longer in their control because substances can trick the brain into thinking that a person's mental wellness and perceived mood is better. Which can trigger a craving everytime a mood is considered low. Once this dynamic is introduced to the brain enough times the brain no longer believes it can function or achieve a happy mood without it. Tony’s continual encouragement for students as a substance abuse prevention speaker is to intentionally take care of ones mental health and be watchful of the community of people you are connected to because the community of friends are the biggest influence of our decisions we make in our teenage years. Learn more about Tony’s powerful presentation that has changed the lives of thousands and heard by millions by hitting the book Tony button below.
Motivational Speaker for Schools
‘From Prison To The Olympics’
It’s not uncommon to consider a motivational speaker for schools to be a person or public figure that speaks with students about buzzwords regarding achievement, goal setting, positive friends groups etc. The content is good but is it presented in a way that captivates teens with a real life story and application of their meaning? This is what makes Tony Hoffman the best motivational speaker for schools in the United States. ‘From Prison To The Olympics’ is one of the greatest comeback stories in the world that no other person shares with Tony. To date, no other person has been incarcerated in prison and participated in the Olympics as an athlete or coach.
As a motivational speaker for high schools and middle schools Tony has no interest in buzz word presentations. He understands fully that buzzword talks are the quickest way of losing their attention or a hindrance from getting their attention at the start. Motivating the human spirit isn’t about words, it’s about feeling. It’s about hearing and feeling another person’s experience and feeling something inside ourselves that says, “I want to do more”, “I can do more”, “It’s possible for me.” Tony’s unique ability to storytell as a motivational speaker for schools is where the magic happens. Students never feel like they are being lectured or actually ‘learning’ because his ability to tell his story in such a captivating way is almost like watching your favorite movie live and in person.
Failures Become Successes
Tony’s journey is one that students can relate to. A young person with a dream and gift but also a young person with questions and confusion about life as he enters his teenage years. His questions and confusion gave way for risky behaviors to try and quiet the storm he felt inside. It was these decisions he speaks about that would ultimately take him from his gifts and dreams and enter a phase of darkness with substance use addiction. As the top motivational speaker for schools Tony is able to articulate and recall where he believes he was making mistakes for students so they can use his life as a light in their own and how he’s changed his perspective about his mistakes and now uses them as lessons to make his present and future version of self the best possible.
Small Things Become Big Things
One of the reason’s people believe Tony is the best motivational speaker for schools is because he has lived every moment he speaks about and does not talk at the students he’s speaking to, he speaks with them. Tony does not believe that in his position he is better than the audience he is with, he considers everyone the same. We are all simply doing the best that we can but Tony’s unique life experiences give him position to share what he’s learned and how he’s gotten to the position he is currently in.
Tony had an opportunity to change his life when he got to his prison cell at Wasco State Prison. He recognized that this window of opportunity was small but the time was in that very moment. He set four goals in his prison cell
Race BMX professionally
Go to the Olympics
Start a non-profit called the Freewheel Project
Become a professional speaker
Tony set out to accomplish what most said could never be done and where he chose to begin his journey is one of simplicity. Tony’s life was completely unmanageable at the time he was in prison. He needed a starting point of change in his life that he knew he could accomplish but also prove to himself he was making progress. As Tony begins to share this process with students they are able to see that it’s not about the big decisions we make but all of the little ones that we think don’t matter which have the biggest impact. Tony’s journey to the olympics and becoming the best motivational speaker for high schools and middle schools started with learning to brush his teeth every single day and treating the task as if it was like the Olympics. He would then go on to making his bed, organizing his stuff and becoming disciplined.
Tony Is The Right Person For The Job
Tony’s story leaves students' hearts filled with the message, “it’s never too late to make a change”, “it’s possible to do the impossible” and that the process to goals and aspirations are along the narrow path of discipline, sacrifice, positive friends-choice making and investment of self. If you’re looking for a motivational speaker for schools please tap the book Tony button below and Tony will personally contact you back.
The Best Motivational Speaker for High Schools & Middle Schools
Tony brings 15 years of speaking experience with him. From the most prestigious of stages to rural and middle of America communities. Middle schools, high schools, preparatory schools, alternative education and more! His testimonials speak to the quality of work he does with students all over the country as America’s best motivational speaker for schools. His content can be tailored to every audiences needs. All you need to do is reach out to find out more! Now the question is.. .What are you waiting for? Tap the book Tony link below and bring a life changing presentation to your campus!
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We become what we think about ourselves and we behave according to what we think about ourselves and others.
Where do belief systems come from and how does our childhood experiences shape these beliefs? Tony uses his story to help students understand this unconscious process every human goes through and how they can reinforce self-empowering belief systems and overcome self-limiting belief systems.
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Every human lives a truly unique experience, no two people are alike. There are many factors that can create traumas in a person’s life including but not limited to: Household/parents, community/environment, institutions & events.
Every person has feelings and thoughts attached to each experience that are the root of our response behaviors.
Tony teaches students the important of community built around vulnerability, communication and empathy. The goal is to help young people understand that everyone in the audience has their own unique experiences and some of those experiences are creating very challenging emotions that often times the person needs support from.
The more effective we are at creating an open and honest community to support others the less substances and self harm behaviors we will see people use to try and cope.
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Anxiety, depression, grief, sadness, guilt, shame, thoughts of suicide or self harm are all mental health. In years past we attributed mental health only to those who were suffering from high mental health acuity which entailed personality disorders or disorders like schizophrenia. This misunderstanding lead to enormous amounts of stigma around speaking up about our thoughts and feelings to others.
Tony’s presentation helps students understand their own mental health & emotions as well as the importance of learning what their emotions are in response to events that happen in their life.
Tony uses his personal mental health struggle experience with anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation & isolation as the foundation for his messaging. Nothing Tony speaks about was learned by reading a book, he shares first hand experiences and how therapy, communication, positive coping skills, community and purpose have helped him manage what previously haunted him.
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What do we do when we are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, guilt, shame, rejection, frustrated, anger, confusion? The heaviest of emotions every human will feel at some point need to be handled appropriately if a person wants to heal and feel relief.
Tony uses two core behaviors every student can understand which help guide them into using positive coping skills.
Safe Spaces- A place where a person can talk about anything they are feeling or experiencing and not feel shame, guilt or judgement from the person they are speaking to.
A community of like minded people- A connection to a group of people who are focused on growing and empowering each other is imperative to balanced mental wellness.
During his presentation Tony mentions therapy, journaling, grounding techniques, sports and friends who are all apart of his support system of positive coping skills
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Why do people use substances? How is our mental health directly connected to substance use and what are the mechanics behind it all? Tony answers all of these questions while sharing his inspirational message.
Tony talks about the harsh reality of the friends he grew up with who have lost their lives due to overdoses. He brilliantly covers the topic of fentanyl and the risks that come with modern substance use, especially with youth. He is able to navigate these extremely difficult topics without students ever feeling like, “This is just another don’t do drugs speech.”
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It can happen to anyone, no one is exempt from the possibility of becoming addicted to a substance. Tony speaks about the truths regarding addiction not being a choice. He describes how every person that begins to use substances is using them in response to their mental health and how a substance becomes attractive with the perceived positive (euphoric) effect it can make a person feel while unders the influence. The real risk of addiction is not determined by a person’s will but by a specific function of the brain that no person has control over and does not get to choose whether or not that function exists within them.
More importantly, Tony shares that addiction and adversity can be beaten, the steps its taken for him to beat his addiction and life of self-limiting outcomes as well as the way he chooses to live life today as a sober person.
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From Prison To the Olympics! How did Tony do it and what were the steps he’s taken to become successful with his mental health management, personal life and career? This story is the only one of its kind in the entire world!! It’s one of the reasons he is the best substance use prevention speaker in the world, his story is truly life changing and transformational for millions of people.
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How do you set goals? What do realistic goals look like and what do goals that stretch a person into the best version of themselves look like.?
How does your environment and friends affect your goals and what does it take to be a person who can achieve the goals they set for themselves?
Tony drives home this process by helping students understand that the first step of him getting to the olympics from starting in a prison cell was the act of brushing his teeth. A small obtainable goal needed to be achieved first before graduating to the next task in his process.
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For Tony this is the purpose of life. We have gifts and experiences unique to us and those two are not to be hoarded. They are to be shared with the community and world around which helps bring us together as one.
A real community is built on vulnerability, intimacy, support, compassion, empathy and care. Tony encourages students to see their peers as people who need us to show up for ourselves as leaders so we can effectively support those who in that moment may need to be supported.
